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Choosing a Jewish Life: A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends
Married to a convert herself, Anita Diamant provides advice and information that can transform the act of conversion into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Here you will learn how to choose a rabbi, a synagogue, a denomination, a Hebrew name; how to handle the difficulty of putting aside Christmas; what happens at the mikvah (ritual bath) or a...more
Here you will learn how to choose a rabbi, a synagogue, a denomination, a Hebrew name; how to handle the difficulty of putting aside Christmas; what happens at the mikvah (ritual bath) or a...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
February 24th 1998
by Schocken
(first published 1997)
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This was my first Jewish related book that I read. The reason why it interested me is because a friend of mine is Jewish. I tend to read up on what other people are, in order for me to better understand certain aspects (thus is why I have a couple of Mormon books in my already-read list).
I just so happen to come across this book on a bookshelf of another friend of mine. I think this book is a starting point in getting to "know" the makeup of Judaism. I definately ALWAYS thought of Jewish/Judaism...more
I just so happen to come across this book on a bookshelf of another friend of mine. I think this book is a starting point in getting to "know" the makeup of Judaism. I definately ALWAYS thought of Jewish/Judaism...more
I am getting into a bad habit of reading others reviews before I write my own, which makes me want to react to other reviewers' comments. I will limit myself to this: the subtitle says it pretty well, "A Handbook for People Converting to Judaism and for Their Family and Friends." This is about conversion and the issues surrounding it. I think she does a nice job and I saw myself in here quite a bit. For those looking for more about Judaism, the history, the traditions, the beliefs, and the debat...more
I briefly glanced over some of the other reviews before I set down to write this one, and I now I feel a bit bad because I'm repeating a pretty common refrain, but nonetheless I'll continue: the book is simultaneously too specific and not specific enough.
What I mean is, while there are a few bits here and there dedicated to other cultures, the vast majority of Choosing a Jewish Life is quite obviously directed towards American Protestants. There's a lot of time spent on Christmas and one's emoti...more
What I mean is, while there are a few bits here and there dedicated to other cultures, the vast majority of Choosing a Jewish Life is quite obviously directed towards American Protestants. There's a lot of time spent on Christmas and one's emoti...more
Jan 02, 2010
Max Maxwell
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Um... go after some other ones first, eh?
Recommended to Max by:
No one, it was in the synagogue library
Shelves:
50-book-challenge-2009-failed-48,
judaica
Not the greatest. It wasn't broad enough for absolute beginners, because it assumed a lot of knowledge regarding Judaism aside from conversion. And yet it wasn't specific enough for the serious potential convert, because it skimmed over the specific details of pretty much everything. So this book is useful to someone in a very small window of time. It was also a little too "Oprah's Book Club" for me. A great Zen master once said, "I sell all kinds of things in my shop. If someone comes looking f...more
I really enjoyed the first 1/3rd of this book. It talked about what goes through the mind of potential converts and featured some helpful testimonials from Jews-by-choice about what led them to Judaism. I also found it really interesting that the book regularly calls out the tenuous relationship between liberal Judaism (Reform, Conservative, Humanist) and actually believing in g-d. I particularly liked this: "Non-Jews tend to see the act of conversion as an expression of religious faith, even th...more
This book really lays out the details of becoming a Jew-By-Choice, from why others have made the decision, to what to expect from your rabbi and your learning experience during your months of study, to the actual rituals of conversion, post-conversion celebrations, and your first year as a new Jew. Written from a liberal (Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist) perspective, the book is written for both prospective converts through marriage and those considering Judaism for personal reasons. It...more
Choosing a Jewish Life is a fine resource for information on conversion to (non-Orthodox) Judaism. The book is part "What to Expect...", part discussion of the history of Jewish conversion and attitudes toward conversion, and part discussion of Jewish life. This book makes no assumptions about the reader's level of knowledge or familiarity with Judaism - which, given the book's intended purpose, is a good thing, though it may mean the book is less useful to readers who have already spent time st...more
While I agree with the criticisms expressed here, that the book is overbroad in some areas and assumes too much in others --and that it is unapologetically non orthodox--no one is going to read this book in a vacuum. As part of my (for lack of a better phrase) "coming out" as a Jew by choice, this book was instrumental in relieving a great deal of anxiety about the process and really helped me decide to ultimately take the (in this case literal) plunge. After years of reading about Judaism in th...more
While this was a little on the fluffy side, I did find it useful in a broad sense prior to and during my conversion process. It's also very positive in tone, which is soothing when you are going through the process of converting to Judaism. I was essentially raised without organized religion and after much soul-searching decided this was the path for me. People still have difficulty grasping that I am "really" Jewish and not "just converting to get married to someone Jewish" etc.
Because Judais...more
Because Judais...more
Sep 07, 2008
Ibrahim
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everybody!
Shelves:
religious-studies,
spirituality
The author is a real person and when you read her book you can't help but fall in love with her and her Judaism. She is distinguishably brilliant and has a charming good sense of humor. I have always needed a book like that to tell me where to start if I am contemplating the "choosing" of Judaism. I admire her boldness. I love people with conviction who stand up for something and indeed she beautifully stands up for her Jewish faith.
In the house of some Egyptian Jews, I told Joyce in excitement...more
In the house of some Egyptian Jews, I told Joyce in excitement...more
This was a good introduction to non-Orthodox conversion--basic but helpful as an introductory read. Because of the author's almost exclusive emphasis on liberal Judaism, the halakha of conversion was almost completely ignored. While this wouldn't be a problem for many potential Jews by choice, there are implications that definitely should have been addressed (e.g., aliyah).
As a person exploring conversion, it paved the way for more debate on the topic. Husband who is a non practicing Jew, has no objections one way or the other, but interestingly, always feels the need to be geographically close to a temple.
Has become kind of a necessity to learn more about the Jewish faith. Very interesting. the author also wrote the novel "The Red Tent" (5 stars) and has several more about the Jewish life and traditions. I suspect I will be reading more.
Good information for what to expect through the conversion process, but still leaves me wanting to know more. An btw, family and friends - I'm just learning, not making any decisions on anything :)
Most helpful for folks interested in reform/re-constructionist Judaism. Also a really great primer on Judaism in general; I won't feel so out of the loop at Josh's family holiday gatherings anymore.
This was a very interesting read...it was interesting to look a conversion to a religion from a convert's perspective, especially to a religion that is not a mainstream Christianity.
Might thumb through this again if/when I go through with conversion. Not as philosophical as I had hoped it to be, but fair in its own right.
This book gave me the peace of mind and the reassurance that I DO belong, I'm not an outcast or wannabe. But certainly this is not a book for everyone but it is great as a starting point.
This book was wonderful. It answered so many serious questions and addressed my fears about conversion and also added to my excitement about the future. I know I'll refer back to this book throughout the process. It definitely makes me feel like I'm not alone!
Aug 19, 2012
Stephenie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Prospective converts, Anyone who is curious
Shelves:
books-i-have-read-several-times
A must read for anyone interested in Judaism. I've read this several times and I learn more each time.
This book gives a great overview of Jewish beliefs and culture. It made me consider choosing to be chosen!
If you're thinking about converting to Judaism, read this book first--it helps answer a lot of questions, and does a really good job of explaining the process. It also gives the history of conversion to Judaism over time, and addresses feelings that you may come across during and even after the conversion process.
This book is not for those considering orthodox. I enjoyed this one better than Living the Jewish Life. This book was much more personal and she walks you through the conversion process. She also gives great resources for those converting
Packed with information yet, very easy to read. Recommended-
I like this author best out of all my Jewish study books.
Informative on Jewish customs and laws. Interesting.
Very informative. I love this writer.
Great book, good read. It was very easy reading, lots of information about the Jewish way and religion.
Excellent book that helps describe the experience of choosing Judaism and converting.
May 14, 2008
Julie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Individuals sincerely interested in converting to Judiasm
Shelves:
jewish-reading
Although this book is listed for individuals interested in converting to Judiasm as well as their family, friends, etc. The book would only make sense if you have a basic understanding of Judiasm in the first place. Best to read another book about the basics and then tackle this book. I appreciate Anita's honesty on the joys, fears, saddness and joys one can expect when converting to Judiasm. It asks more questions than provides answers, but a good starting point prior to meeting with a rabbi.
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Anita Diamant is a prizewinning journalist whose work has appeared regularly in the Boston Globe Magazine and Parenting magazine. She is the author of six books about contemporary Jewish practice, one collection of autobiographical essays (Pitching My Tent) and three prior novels. The Red Tent, her first novel, was a national bestseller and the Booksense Book of the Year. Good Harbor and The Last...more
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Dec 14, 2010 07:25am